1990s

On 24 September 1993 Nelson Mandela went to the UN in New York to ask for the lifting of international sanctions against South Africa. This was after agreement was reached on setting up a Transitional Executive Council in South Africa and an election date, 27 April 1994. Sanctions were formally lifted two weeks later on 8 October. This AAM statement was timed to coincide with Mandela’s UN visit. It looked forward to new trade relationships that would help build a post-apartheid economy.

In October 1993 Nelson Mandela visited Glasgow, the first British local council to present him with the freedom of the city, in 1981. AAM President Trevor Huddleston presented him with a special scroll commemorating the award of the freedom of nine British local authorities.

Nelson Mandela spoke to a big crowd who came to welcome him in spite of heavy rain in Glasgow’s George Square on 9 October 1993. Later he delighted the crowd by dancing with singer Mara Louw in front of Glasgow City Chambers.

Nelson Mandela danced with singer Mara Louw in Glasgow’s George Square on 9 October 1993. Earlier, AAM President Trevor Huddleston presented him with a special scroll commemorating the award of the freedom of nine British local authorities. In 1981 Glasgow was the first local authority to present Mandela with the freedom of the city. Also in the photograph is the Chair of the Scottish AA Committee, Brian Filling.

Report of a seminar on the role of British trade unions in post-apartheid solidarity. The report reprinted the address of keynote speaker Jay Naidoo, former General Secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and a Programme of Action for the British trade union movement.

After agreement was reached on 27 April 1994 as the date for one person one vote elections in South Africa, the AAM campaigned to ensure the elections were free and fair. Its Countdown to Democracy programme focused on voter education. This leaflet asked for donations for a special Education for Democracy in South Africa Fund, supported by the main British teacher unions and the National Union of Students.

Scotland was twinned with the Transkei in the twinning programme set up by the AAM in the early 1990s. This appeal asked the Scottish people to support voter education, literacy, and women’s and arts projects in South Africa, as well as the work of the Scottish AA Committee. In 1994 Scottish AA set up Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) Scotland, which forged close links with the new Eastern Cape province.

In the run-up to South Africa’s first one person one vote election, the AAM called for a full complement of election observers from Britain and the international community, and asked British local authorities and other organisations to support voter education workshops in South Africa.